A Brief History of First Church in Chestnut Hill
April 12, 1861 — The American Civil War begins as Confederate forces open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.
October 2, 1861 — First Church first convenes as the Chestnut Hill Chapel.
October 5, 1861 – February 10, 1865 — Ministry of Rev. William Augustus Whitwell.
May 13, 1866 – September 27, 1876 — Ministry of Rev. Artemas Bowers Muzzey.
October 8, 1876 – June 20, 1881 — Ministry of Rev. John Albert Buckingham.
1881–1897 — The congregation does not formally meet.
1885–1891 — Rev. George W. Shinn leads Episcopal mission services until the nearby Church of the Redeemer is completed.
October 3, 1897 – May 27, 1918 — Ministry of Rev. Edward Hale.
April 10, 1910 — The cornerstone for the new First Church is laid at 26 Suffolk Road.
December 25, 1910 — The first worship service is held in the new church building.
January 1, 1911 — The new First Church in Chestnut Hill is formally dedicated.
May 12, 1919 — Mrs. Webster becomes the first woman elected to the Standing Committee.
November 1919 — The first annual Thanksgiving Food and Flower Sale is held, beginning a tradition that continues for more than a century.
1929 — The First Church Women’s Alliance is formed, taking on an important role in congregational life.
October 1929 – November 1931 — The church remains without a settled minister.
1961 — Centennial celebration of First Church’s founding as the Chestnut Hill Chapel.
May 3, 1969 — Rev. Joseph A. Bassett begins his ministry at First Church.
1971 — Samuel Adams joins First Church as organist and music director, serving the congregation for more than fifty years.
October 5, 1986 — Celebration of the 125th anniversary of First Church in Chestnut Hill.
1989 — The Church Book Group begins meeting and continues gathering to this day.
June 1989 — The tracker-action organ, custom built by Darren Wissinger, is installed in the new organ loft.
1995 — Celebration honoring Rev. Joseph A. Bassett’s twenty-five years of ministry at First Church.
May 3, 2007 — Rev. Rosemarie Smurzynski is named Interim Minister.
June 3, 2007 — Rev. Joseph A. Bassett retires after thirty-eight years of ministry.
May 18, 2008 — Rev. Joseph A. Bassett is installed as Minister Emeritus.
April 5, 2009 — Reception honoring Samuel Adams’ thirty-five years of music ministry at First Church.
September 13, 2009 — Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano begins his ministry at First Church.
December 2011 — The first Taizé service is held.
January 23, 2012 — The Outreach Coordinating Committee is established to strengthen the church’s engagement with the wider community.
2012 — The Parish Service Committee is formed.
2020 — Worship services move online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2022 — In-person worship services resume.
August 2025 — Rev. Diego Garrido Barreto is called to serve as Ministerial Intern and Church Administrator.
May 17, 2026 — First Parish Brookline, First Church in Chestnut Hill and Sanctuary Boston ordains Rev. Diego Garrido Barreto to serve as Assistant Minister and Administrator.
And now, the story continues.
For more than a century, generations of people have prayed, sung, mourned, celebrated, questioned, organized, and hoped within these walls. Each era has shaped the life of this congregation in new ways.
Now, the future of First Church is still being written — and we have been waiting for you to help make history with us.